Back then both the US and Soviet Union used live animals in space tests, but many of the monkeys used by Nasa and dogs by Moscow perished due to faulty equipment or the technology of the time being unable to cope with the stress of re-entry.

Al-Alam and other Iranian news agencies however claimed that the monkey returned to Earth alive after a sub-orbital flight that saw the Kavoshgar (Explorer) rocket reach a height of 120km (75 miles).

In 2010 Iran launched a rocket into space with a mouse, turtle and worms on board, while a year later a failed attempt was made to send a monkey into space.

The launches are a precursor to a hoped-for manned space flight programme, but the west is concerned the technology could be adapted to develop nuclear-armed warheads.

Campaigners criticised the use of live animals in spaceflight (Picture: AFP/Getty)

‘This success is the first step towards man conquering space and it paves the way for other moves,’ said Iranian defence minister Ahmad Vahidi.

‘Today’s successful launch follows previous successes we had in launching probes with other living creatures.’

Iran has been lumbered with strict nuclear and space technology sanctions from the United Nations Security Council since 2007.

Tehran insists its uranium enrichment facilities are only for peaceful, energy-related, purposes.

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